A pin-and-slot, angle-drive wrench



7 May 31, 1960 c. KosTKA 2,938,415

PIN-AND-SLOT, ANGLE-DRIVE WRENCH Filed May 14, 1958 f/fw,

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 2,938,415 A rnv-AND-sLoT, ANGLE-DRIVE WRENCH Charles Kostka, Bronx, N.Y. (4 Dock St., Mount Vernon, N.Y.)

Filed May 14, 1958, Ser. No. 735,276

Claims. (Cl. 81-57) This invention relates to gearless, strip-proof, pin-andslot, angle-drive socketrwrenches.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a gearless, strip-proof, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench which has an input shaft and an output shaft that lies at the angle of ninety degrees from the input shaft. t

It is another object of the invention to provide a gearless, strip-proof ninety-degree, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench in which the angle drive parts comprise a spoke member on one of the shafts and a wheel or plate in the other shaft having circumferentially-spaced holes in which the spokes run freely to effect a positive driving action upon the wheel and without lag or lost motion.

It is still another `object of the invention to provide a gearless, strip-proof, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench with a simple U-shaped body for supporting the spoke member and the wheel that will be open at the sides to prevent dirt from accumulating in the body and interfere with the operation of the wrench and at the same time permit the wrench to be easily cleaned.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a gearless, strip-proof, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench in which one of the drive parts is in the form of a wheel and in which the periphery thereof extends outwardly of the wheel supporting body so that the wheel can be grasped by the ngers and thumb and hand turned if desired independently of the input drive shaft.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a gearlepss, strip-proof, pin-and-slot, ninety-degree angledrive socket wrench in which the drive parts can be inexpensively stamped and fabricated and does not require the expensive cut gear parts. 1

lt is a still further object of the invention to provide a gearless, pin-and-slot, ninety-degree, angle-drive socket wrench which will be strip-proof and in which multiple spokes will be in simultaneous engagement with multiple radially elongated holes in the .wheel or drive plate, and in which the spoke ends are so shaped and timed with the elongated holes in the drive plate to give as smooth and as effective drive as a gear drive.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a gearless, strip-proof, pin-and-slot, ninety-degree, angle-drive socket wrench that has the above objects in mind, which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, inexpensive to manufacture, compact, easily and quickly assembled with other socket wrench parts, durable and eiective and efficient in use.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the gearless, strip-proof, ninety-degree, angle-drive socket wrench embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the wrench;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the wrench as viewed on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view looklee ing in plan upon the perforated drive wheel or plate and as viewed on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and looking in elevation on the drive spokes penetrating and leaving the openings in the drive plate; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal view of a modified spoke member that may replace the one that is shown. l

Referring now to the figures, 10 represents a handle sleeve in which is journalled an input drive shaft 11 having an integral knurled turning knob 12 with a socket opening 13 therein to which a drive extension 13' `can be connected. The extension 13' may have knurled turning knob 13". The handle sleeve 10 has an enlarged square end portion 14 to opposite ilat top and bottom sides of which a generally U-shaped wheel-supporting body 15 is connected. The U-s-haped body 15 has a closed end- 16 and leg portions that are made secure tothe square end portion 14 by a plurality of fastening rivets 17. The handle sleeve 10 has an oilrhole 18 into which oil can be injected to lubricate the input shaft 11. The drive shaft 11 has a reduced square end portion 19 to which a spoke drive part or member 20 is secured by a set screw 21 that enters a recess 22 in -the portion .19. The spoke drive part 20 has eight drive spokes 23 extending radially outwardly` from respective supporting holes 24. The outer ends of the spokes are beveled and rounded as shown at 25 to more effectively enter radially elongated 'holes or perforations 26 of perforated drive wheel plate 27. The number of spokes can be varied but the construction will be kept such that a plurality of spokes engage the drive plate 27 simultaneously.

The perforated drive plate 27 has the same number of radially elongated holes as there are spokes 23. The diameter of each of the spokes is about half the radial length of the radially elongated holes 26 in the drive wheel or plate 27. The holes 25 in the drive plate 27 are generally egg-shaped, radially elongated and tapering from a large diameter outer end toga small diameter inner end. The diameter of the inner end of the holes is the same as the diameter of the spokes. The spoke enters the large diameter outer end and bears against the tapered sides of the hole and as the wheel is turned and the wheel and spoke reach a center position with the spoke axis in the vertical position as shown in Fig. 4, there can be little chance of lost motion. With three spokes 23 in the openings simultaneously there will always be at least two spokes in engagement with a leading side edge of one hole and a trailing side edge of another hole so that at all times the spoke member and ,the perforated plate are held againstlost motion or play between them. The ends of the spokes 25 have a camming engagement with the sides of the holes 26 and will ride upon the edges and sides of the holes until the sides of the spokes will engage flush with thesides of the holes for maximum turning effect when passing through the center position, all of this makes for a smooth dn've connection of the spokes with the wheel with little opportunity for the same to bind and without lost motion or play.

The drive wheel or plate 27 has a squared recess 28 for receiving square portion 29 of a wheel shaft 30. A socket head 31 having a detent 3l projects downwardly from the underside of the body 15 and is adapted to receive a nut socket or an extension. A wear washer or spacer 32 is disposed under the drive plate 27 and vits thickness or number of such washers or spacers which may be used will depend upon the extent of inter-locking adjustment desired of the spokes with the wheel holes 26.

The spoke driving member 20 and drive plate 27 can be made in different sizes depending upon the work thrust required of the wrench. The top surface of the plate 27 ing member 20 so that the spokes 23 will be strongly coupled with the driving plate, the spokes penetrating to substantially the full extent through'the openings 26 in the drive wheel 27. Y The spacing between the spokes 2?, atthe surface where they enter the hub bodyholes 24 is such as to accommodate if necessary the portion of the plate laying between the openings. Another spacer or bushing 33 is disposed on the wheel shaft 30 about a cylindrical portion 34 of the shaft 3l) that is journalled in the'upper portion of the body 15. The wheel shaft assembly is made secure'within the frame 15 by a set screw 3S ioining the sleeve 33`to the Yshaft 30 and a bottom flange -30 thereof against the underface of frame 15.rk A l It will `'be apparent that by merelyreleasing the set screw 35 that the shaft 30 can be dropped from the assembly and the driving plate 27 removed from the body laterally by merely turning the Vspokemember 20. The spoke wheel can also be quickly and easily removed by releasing the set'screw 21. Thus the assembly has been made so simple the partscan be disassembled by merely releasing the set screws. When the set screw Z1 has been released, the driving shaft 11 can readily be removed from its sleeve 10.

In Fig. 6, there is shown a spoke member 20' that has the square opening running fully through the member as indicated at 20" to receive a squared end portion 19 `of shaft '71. The spokes 23k are extended from holes 24'.

It will be understood that this ninety ldegree angledrive socket Wrench can be made in different sizes. The number of holes and the size and thickness of the spokes can be varied as desired depending upon the use to which the drive is put. It should also be apparent that a smooth drive, gearless and strip-proof angle drive socket Wrench has been provided.

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:V v

1. A gearless, strip-proof, ninety-degree, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrenchcomprising ahandle sleeve, a drive shaft journalled in said handle sleeve, a spoke member xed to the inner end of said drive shaft to be driven thereby, said spoke Vmember having a hub and spokes extending radially therefrom and circumferentially-spaced from Vone another, a wheel suporting frame fixed to the handle sleeve and extending about the spoke member, a drive wheel plate having circumferentially-spaced perforations adapted to receive the spokes of the spoke member and adapted to be driven thereby, said spokes being adapted as the drive shaft .is turned toengage with the sides of the openings intheplate to turn the same, and a shaft connected to the drive wheelplate, said drive wheel shaft being journalled in said` frame and having a socket adapting head, said wheel supporting frame being open at the sides thereof and having an upper portion with a raised part over the spoke wheel and a dropped part over the drive wheel plate to accommodate its shaft, and the perforated drive wheel plate having its sides extending outwardly through the open sides of the wheel supporting frame so that it may be grasped by the operator for effecting direct turning of the output shaft when loose turning a nut or bolt is desired, said spoke member lying wholly within the lateral connes of the wheel supporting frame. Y

A2.- A gearless, strip-proof, ninety-degree, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench comprising a handle sleeve, a drive shaft journalled in said handle sleeve, a spoke member fixed to the inner end of said drive shaft to be driven thereby, said spoke member having a hub and 'spokes extending radially therefrom and circumferentially-spaced from one another, a wheel supporting'frame can be adjusted close to the periphery of the spoke driv-V xed to the handle sleeve and vextending about the spoke member, a drive wheel plate having circumferentiallyspaced perforations adapted to receive the spokes of the spoke member and adapted to be driven thereby, said spokes being adapted as the drive shaft is turned to engage with the sides of the openings in the plate to turn the same, and a shaft connected to the drive wheel plate, said drive wheel shaft being journalled in said frame and having a socket adapting head, said drive wheel shaft being journalled in the upper and lower portions of said Wheel supporting frame and spacing members disposed under and above the perforatedrdrive wheel plate, and one of the spacing members having a set screw for the securement of the spacing member to the drive wheel shaft, whereby the perforated drive wheel may be removed by release of a single set screw.

3. A gearless, strip-proof, ninety-degree, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench comprising a handle sleeve, a drive shaft journalled in said, handle'sleeve, a spoke member fixed to the inner end of said drive shaft to be driven thereby, said spoke member having a hub and spokes extending radially therefrom and circumferentially-spaced from one another, a wheel supporting frame fixed to the handle sleeve and extending about the spoke member, a drive wheel plate having circumferentiallyspaced perforations adapted to receive the spokes of the spoke member and adapted to be driven thereby, said spokes being adapted as the drive shaft is turned to engage with the sides of the openings in the plate to turn the same, and a shaft connected to the drive wheel plate, said drive wheel shaft being journalled in said frame and having a socket adapting head, vsaid drive shaft having a knurled knob on one end thereof anda square end portion on the other end thereof, ,said spoke member being mounted on 'the square end portion within the wheel supporting frame and alset screw for releasably retaining the spoke member on the drive shaft, said drive shaft` being removable from said sleeve upon release of the spoke member, whereby allparts can be disassembled upon release of but two set screws.

4. AY gearless, strip-proof, ninety-degree, pin-and-slot, angle-drive socket wrench comprising a handle sleeve, a drive shaft journalled in said handle sleeve, a spoke member iixed tothe innery end of said drive shaft toV be driven thereby, Ysaid spoke member having a hub and spokes extending radially therefrom and circumferentiallyspaced from one another, a wheel supporting frame xed to the handlesleeve and extending about the spoke member, a drive 'wheel plate having 'circumferentiallyspaced perforations adapted to` receivethe lspokes of the spoke member and adapted to be driven thereby, .saidspokes being adapted as the driveshaft is turned to engage with the. sides of the openings in the plate to -turn the same, and a shaft connected to the drive wheel plate, said drive Wheel shaft `being journalledinsaid frame and having a socket adapting head, said -spokes having `their ends substantially rounded'to vhave camming relationship with the sides of the perforations in the drive wheel plate, said perforations being radially-elongated .and .egg-shaped to readily accommodate .theends of said spokes, each of said perforations having an outerdiameter greater than the diameterof the spoke inclined sides extending from the outer diameter and terminating in an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the spoke; y p

5. A gearless, strip-proof, ninety-degrea, pin-and-slot, angle-drive vsocket wrench comprising a handle sleeve, a drive shaftjournalled in said handle sleeve, a spoke member xed to the inner end of said drive shaft to be driven thereby, said spoke member having a hub and spokes extending radially therefrom and circumferentially-spaeed from one another, a wheel supporting frame xed to the handle sleeve and extending about the spoke member, a drive wheel plate having circumferentiallyspacedv perforations adapted to receive the spokes of the spoke member and adapted to be dn'ven thereby, said spokes being adapted as the drive shaft is turned to engage with the sides of the openings in the plate to turn the same, and a shaft connected to the drive wheel plate, said drive wheel shaft being journalled in said frame a-nd having a socket adapting head, said drive wheel plate lying with its upper surface in close proximity to the periphery of the hub member of the spoke wheel and said spokes as turned to drive said drive wheel plate fully penetrating the perforations of the drive wheel plate and engaging the sides of the perforations near to and adjacent the root of the spoke to permit a maximum turning thrust.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS France ..-.1 Dec. 20, 1927 

